Fuel-feeder.



A. A. HOLBECK.

FUEL FEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED 050.27. 1913.

1 ,206, 1 1 2. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- l Q "I q) @i E I A. A. HOLBECK.

FUEL FEEDER. APPLICATION FILED 050.27, I9I3.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

animee UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

AUSTIN A. HOLBECK, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES A. BRAUCIILER,

OF CANTON, OHIO.

FUEL-FEEDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

Application led December 27, 1913. Serial No. 809,100.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AUSTIN A. HoLBEoK, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga. and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuel-Feeders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a fuel feeder, and more particularly to the class of devices for distributing pulverized coalto small or large furnaces.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the pulverized coal will be uniformly distributed to one or more furnaces to be burnt, the unspent coal beingreturned to the container therefor.

Another object of the invention is the provision of-a device of this character wherein the feed of the coal is automatically regulated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the pulverized coal is automatically fed to the respective furnaces for the distribution of fuel thereto, the feeding of the fuel being controlled vso as to avoid the adjustment of the valves of the furnaces, and the surplus coal which is not required by any of the furnaces being returned, thereby permitting continuous operation and preventing` the pipes from becoming clogged.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is simplein construction, thoroughly reliable and eilicient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction,l combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the acrompanving drawing, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device constructed in accordance with the invention applied to a series of furnaces. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the device and one of the furnaces.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding` parts throughout the severalviews in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numerals 5, 6 and 7 designate furnaces which are similarly constructed and are of any ordinary well-known type, each having a smoke flue 8, it being understood of course that a greaterI or less number of furnaces can be operated with the device hereinafter fully described.

At any desirable point spaced from the furnaces is a coal bin 9, which is adapted to contain pulverized coal, and is supported upon uprights 10 at the required height from the foundation. Formed in the bottom of the bin 9 is a discharge chute 11 in which is arranged a feed or screw conveyer 12, the chute being in communication with a delivery hopper 13 having its discharge mouth 11i located directly above a revolving fuel being extracted from the air which con veys the saine from thefurnaces in a manner presently described.

Contiguous to the turn table 15 is a blower or fan 20 with which communicates a suction conduit 21, the intake end 22 of which is extended upwardly beneath the turn table 15 near the periphery thereof, while mounted upon the delivery mouth 14 of the hopper 13 is an arm 23 supporting a wiper 21 which contacts with the upper surface of the turn table l5 and is designed to wipe off the powdered coal therefrom for the deposit of the same in the suction conduit 21 so that the blower or fau will distribute the powdered coal to the furnaces in a manner presently described.

Leading from the periphery of the blower or fan 20 is a distributing pipe 25, which constitutes a continuation of the conduit 21, the horizontal portion 2G of said pipe 25 being disposed above the furnaces 5, 6 and 7, while communicating withv and depending from this pipe 26 are a series of inlet pipes 27 which also communicate with the furnace for supplying the powdered coal, and these -latter pipes 27 can `be construed as continuations of the suction conduit.

The pipe 26 has connected thereto areturn pipe 29 which leads to the collector 18 and is adapted to convey the unspent coal into the collector which is separated from the air and again discharged into the bin to be Subsequently -fed to. the furnaces.

The intake pipes`27 each is provided with a valve 30, the stem 3l kof which carries a sprocket wheel 32 over which is trained a sprocket chain 33 which depends therefrom in convenient reach above the foundation on which the furnaces are. supported so that the valves can Ibe manually manipulated for shutting oif the intake pipes 27 or regulating the feed therethrough.

Extending from the top of the collector 18 and communicating with the suctionpipe 21 is an air suction pipe 34, the same being formed contiguous to its union with the suction pipe 21. This pipe permits the air from the container 18 to return to the suction side of the fan `or blower 20. A

Mounted upon the suction pipe. 21 is a bearing 35 which supports a roc-king arm 36 fulcrumed upon the bearing 35, the-lever being also connected with a depending rod 37 which is slidably passed through the suction pipe 21 and has formed on its lower end a oat 38, the latter being inclosed within a well 40, formed in the foundation. The vwell contains liquid 41 which is subjected a cage 39 communicating with and dependingfrom the suction pipe 21, the cage 39 being open at its bottom and extends Within to Suction from the suction pipe 21 so as to I' displace the same and thereby operate the float. 38 for lraising and lowering of the The arm 36 is pivotally connected to the arm 42, which is -connected to the arm 43 of an electric speed controller 44, which is in :circuit with the motor 17, and in this ymanner the speed of the motor 17 will be regulated simultaneously with the raising the speed of the motor 17 ,toV decrease the feed of coal to the furnaces. It will be apparent that should any one of the furnaces be cut off from the supply of fuel this reduces the amount'of air delivered to the fan and therefore reduces they suction in the pipe 21 and allows the liquid 41 in the well to.

y lower and with it the float 38 which adjusts the controller 44 automatically and at the I same time reduces the speed of the motor 17,

and thus decreases the fuel supply to the furnaces. 1 From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and manner of operation of .the device will be clearly apparent, and therefore a more extended explanation has ,of a conduit adapted to receive material from the fuel supply for delivering it to a furnace, means for supplying a fluid to the conduit, means for delivering the fuel from the fuel supply to the conduit, a controller for said means, means automatically'operated by a variance in the density .of Huid within the conduit for actuating the controller, and means' including a pi e connected with the conduit for returning the .unspent material to the fuel supply.

2. The combination withI a fuel suppl Y, of a conduit adapted to receive material fiom the fuel supply for delivering it to a furnace, means for supplying a uid to the conduit, means for delivering the fuel from the fuel supply to the conduit, a controller for said means, means. automatically operated` `to the fuel supply, and means located between the conduit and the furnace for regulating the supply of material from said conduit to. the furnace.

3. The combinationl with a furnace, of a container, feed mechanism arranged for feeding fuel from the container, a conduit adapted to receive material' from the feed mechanism for delivering it vto the furnace, a motor connected with the feed mechanism, a controller for the said motor, means for supplying a fluid to the conduit, means automatically regulated by a variance in the density of Huid within the conduit for actuating the controller, a collector for communication with the container, and a. return pipe connected with the conduit and the said collector.

4. The combination with a furnace, of feed mechanism arranged for feeding fuel, a conduit adapted to receive material from the feed mechanism for delivering it to the furnace, a motor connected with the feed mechanism, a controller for the said motor, means for supplying fluid to the conduit, means automatically regulated by a variance in the density of fluid in the conduit for actuating the controller, a collector interposed between the conduit and the feed mechanism, and a. pipe connected with the conduit and the collector for returning unspentfuel to the latter from the said conduit.

5. The combination with a furnace, of a container, feed mecha-nism arranged for feeding fuel from the container, a conduit adapted to receive material from the feed mechanism for delivering it to the furnace, a motor connected with the feed mechanism, a' controller for the said motor, means for supplying a fluid to the conduit, means automatically regulated by a variance in the density of fluid within conduit for actuating the controller, means located in the conduit for regulating the supply of material to the furnace, and a return pipe connected with the conduit for delivering unspent fuel therefrom to the container.

6. A fuel distributing mechanism for furnaces comprising means for the feeding of fuel, a conduit arranged to receive fuel from the feed means, means for distributing fuel from the conduit to the furnaces, means for directing' a volume of 'fluid through the conduit and distributing means, a motor for driving the feed means, a controller for regulating the speed of the motor, means operative on a variance in the density of the fluid within the conduit for actuating the controller, means for regulating the distribution of fuel from the distributing means to the furnaces, and a pipe communicating with the conduit for returning the unspent fuel therefrom to the feed means.

7. A fuel distributing mechanism for furnaces comprising a, fuel container having a discharge way, means in the discharge way for the feeding of fuel from the container, a conduit arranged to receive fuel from the discharge way, means for distributing fuel from the conduit to the furnaces, means for directing a. volume of fluid through the conduit and distributing` means, a motor for ydriving the feed means, a controller for regulating the speed ot the motor, means operative on a varia-nce in the density of the fluid within the conduit for actuating the c0nt.r0ller,n1eans for regulating the. distribution of fuel from the distributing means to the furnaces, a pipe communicating with the conduit for returning the unspent fuel therefrom directly to the container, and means for extracting fluid from the unspent fuel and directing it into the conduit.

S. The combination with a furnace, of a fuel bin having a delivery chute, a feed device arranged for feeding fuel fromvthe chute, a conduit ,adapted to receive fuel from the feed device. a distributing pipe connected with the conduit and having a lead directed to the furnace, a well containing fluid, a cage communicating with the conduit and projected into the well, a motor connected with the feed device, a controller for regulating the speed of the motor, a float within the cage and controlled by the fluid in the well, connection between chute, a conduit adapted to receive fuel from the feed device, a distributing pipe connected with the conduit and having a lead directed to the furnace, a well containing fluid, a cage communicating with the conduit and projected into the well, a motor connected with the feed device, a controller for regulating the speed of the mot-or, a float within the cage and cont-rolled by the fluid in the well, connection between the float and the controller for automatically regulating the latter on the rise and fall of the fluid in the well, means for supplying a fluid to the conduit, and means located in the lead from the distributing pipe to the furnace for regulating the fuel supply tothe latter.

10. The combination with a furnace, of a fuel bin lia-ving a. delivery chute, a feed device arranged for feeding fuel from the chute, a. conduit adapted to receive fuel,

from the feed device, a distributing pipe connected with the conduit andhaving a lead directed to the furnace, a well containing fluid, a, cage communicating with the conduit and projected into the well, a. motor connected with the feed device, a controller for regulating the speed of the m0- tor, a float within the cage and controlled by the fluid in the well, connection between the float and thel controller for automatically regulating the latter on the rise and fall of the fluid in the well, means for supplying a fluid to the conduit, means located in the lead from the distributing pipe to the furnace for regulating the fuel supply to the latter, and a. return pipe connected with the distributing pipe for conveying the unspent fuel therefrom to the bin.

11. The combination with a. furnace, of a. fuel bin having a delivery chute, a screw feed device arranged within the chute for feeding fuel from the hin, a. turn table located contiguous to the screw. feed device for receiving fuel therefrom, a suction oonduit having one end adapted to receive fuel from the turn table for delivering it to the furnace, a well containing fluid, a cage communicating with the suction conduit and projected into the well` a float in the said cage, a motor for operating the feed screw device, a` speed controller for the motor, Va connection between the float and the. controller for automatically regulating the latter under the action of the fluid upon the float, und means for` supplying a fluid to the conduit. f

12. The combination with a furnace, of a fuel bin having a delivery chute, a screw feed device arranged withinV the chute for feeding fuel from the bin, a turn table located contiguous to the screw feed device for receiving fuel therefrom, a'suction conduit having one end adapted to receive fuel from the turn table for delivering it -to the furnace, a well containing Huid, a cage communicating with the. suction conduit and projectednto. the well, a fioat in the said cage, a motor for operating the feed screw device, a speed controller for the motor, a

connection between the float and the con-'- troller for automatically regulating the latter under the action of the fluid upon the float, means for supplying a .uid to the' conduit, and means for regulating the sup-v ply of fuel from the conduit tothe furnace. 13. The combination with a furnace, of a fuel bin having a delivery chute, a screw feed device arranged within the chute for feeding fuel from the bin, a turn table located contiguous to the screw feed device for receiving fuel therefrom, a suction conduit having one end adaptedto receive fuel duit, means ,for regulatingV the supply of fuel from the conduit to the furnace, a collector for communication with the bin, and

' a return pipe connected with the conduit and the said collector.

14. The combination with a furnace, of-

feed means arranged for feeding fuel, a conduit adapted to receive fuel from the feed means fordelivering it to the furnace, a motor connected'with the feed means,4 a controller for the said motor, 'means for supplying a uidto the conduit, means automatically regulated by a variance 1n the density of Huid within the conduit for actuating the controller, means located 1n the conduit for regulating the supply of material to the furnace, a collector for communication with the feed means, and a return pipe connected with the conduit and the said collector. l

15. In an apparatus for'feeding pulverized fuel to furnaces, the combination of a conveyer having a closed circuit, means for circulating a gas through said circuit, means controlled by the pressure in Ithe c1rcu1t for introducing pulverized fuel into the circufrom the circuit to the furnaces.

16. In ized fuel conveyer having a closed circuit, meansV for circulating a gas through said circuit, means lati'ng gas andy means for delivering fuel y for delivering fuel to the circuit, a controller for said vfuel delivering means, means auto matically operated by a variance in the density of the gas within the circuit for actuan apparatusfor feeding pulver-- to furnaces, the combination of a ating the controller, and means for delivsaid consuming devices.

1S. In a powdered fuel feeder, a fuel consuming device, a conduit having a branch leading thereto, fluid through said conduit, means for introducing powdered fuel into the gaseous current in advance of said branch leading to the fuel consuming device, and' a separator to which the conduit leads at a point beyond said branch, said separator being arranged to separate from the fluid the fuel which passes along the conduit beyond the said branch.

19. In a powdered fuelfeeder, a plurality of fuel consuming devices, a conduit having branches leadingthereto, means for forcing a gaseous fluid through said conduit, means which passes beyond and is not consumed in means for forcing a gaseous for introducing powdered fuel into the gascous current in advance of the branches leading to the fuel consuming devices, and

a separator to which the conduit leads at a' point beyond the branch conduits, said se arator being arranged to separate from t e' fluid the fuel which passes beyond and is not consumed by the fuel consuming devices,

together with mea-ns for returning the fuelV from said separator to the fuel introducing means. i

20. In a. powdered fuel feeder, the combination of a feed hopper, a dust collector Y' 4arranged to discharge yinto the'. hopper, a plurality. of `fuel consumingdevices, a fuel supply pipe lhaving branch pipes leading to `the respective fuel consuming devices, means for forcing a current of air through said fuel supply pipe, and for feeding fuel from the hopper into said current of air, said fuel supply pipe having a connection with the dust collector at a-point beyond the fuel consuming devices and receiving the air and fuel which pass beyond the latter, and valves in the branch fuel pipes.

2l. The combination with a plurality of fuel consuming devices, of a conduit communicating therewith to supply fuel thereto, means for forcing ai'r and powdered fuel through said conduit, a separator to which said conduit leads at a point beyond the fuel consuming devices, and arranged to Separate the air and fuel which pass beyond the latter, and means whereby the fuel separated by the collector may be returned into the fuel conduit.

In combination with a pluralityof fuel consuming devices and a conduit communicating therewith adapted to supply fuel thereto, means for forcing fluid through said conduit, fuel feeding means for feeding fuel into the conduit in advance ofthe fuel consuming devices, a hopper for supplying fuel to said fuel feeding means, a collector connected to the conduit beyond the fuel consuming devices and discharging into the hopper, and a pipe connecting the collector to the conduit at a` point in advance of the fuel consuming devices.

Q3. In a system of the character described, one or more fuel consuming devices, a conduit having branches leading to said co-nsuming devices, means for forcing a gaseous fluid through said conduit and for supplying powdered fuel to the gaseous fluid in advance of said branches, a separator to which the conduit leads at a. point beyond said branch, said separator being arranged to separate from the fluid the fuel which passes along the branches leading to the fuel consuming deconduit beyond the' vices, valves for controlling communication between the conduit and the fuel consuming devices, and means operative upon the adjustment of the valves for regulating the supply of fuel to the conduit.

2f. In combination with a plurality of fuel consuming devices, a conduit for supplying fuel thereto, means for closing or establishing communication between the conduit and the fuel consuming devices, means for supplying fuel to the conduit, a controller therefor, and means whereby said controller is actuated when a fuel consuming device is connected to or disconnected from the conduit.

In a powdered fuel feeder, the combination of a hopper, a dust collector arranged to discharge into the hopper, a fuel supply pipe into which the hopper discharges, a series of furnaces adjacent to the fuel supply pipe, nozzles leading into the furnaces, branch fuel pipes connecting the fuel pipe and nozzles, valves in the branch fuel pipes, said fuel supply pipe having a portion beyond said branch fuel pipes discharging into said collector, and means whereby the fuel received in said collector may be returned to the fuel supply pipe after being separated from the air.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUSTIN A. HOLBECK. 

